Method of making separable fasteners



1, 1936. w. L. GILMORE 2,050,999

METHOD OF MAKING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Oct. 9, 1934 Riga,

1s AYAVAUA INVENTOR. Wgliam L.G'ilmore Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED METHOD OF MAKING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Pennsylvania Application October 9,

1 Claim.

My invention relates to separablefasteners, particularly of the slide fastener type and to a method of making such fasteners.

Slide operated separable fasteners have now come into general use in all kinds of clothing, luggage, receptacles and other articles. Such a fastener usually comprises a pair of stringers each having a series of closely spaced interlocking fastener elements attached along adjacent beaded edges of the stringers by means of suitable clamping jaws.

Various methods of building up this beaded edge have been devised, the most satisfactory heretofore having been to sew separate cords on opposite sides of, and along one edge of, a flat woven or braided fabric.

Another frequently used method of making this beaded edge is to weave or braid a twisted cord in the edge of the tape during making of the tape. This requires a special braiding machine or narrow fabric loom in which the cross threads are passed around the stuffer cord or filler.

One object of my invention is to provide a fastener which will have a beaded edge consisting 25 of simple component parts held together by the jaws of the interlocking elements.

Another object is to provide a method of making fastener stringers, comprising feeding a strip of flexible material preferably under tension, and simultaneously therewith a cord between the clamping jaws of fastener elements, and compressing the clamping jaws around such cord and edge of the flexible strip.

According to the invention, my improved fastener stringer has a beaded edge for engagement with the clamping jaws of fastener elements, comprising a. cord enclosed by the folded edge of the tape and held in position by the fastener elements.

The principal advantage of the improved meth- 40 od of making the stringer is simplicity and cheapness.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 illustrates one type of slide fastener with which my invention may be incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing how the tape is rolled around cord;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section after attachment of the fastener elements; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a guide suitable for use in carrying out my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the fastener illustrated in Fig. 1 includes two mating stringers, each comprising a flexible strip I0, preferably woven or braided tape, and a series of fastener 1934, Serial No. 747,577

- elements I I attached along one of the longitudinal edges of the tape. A slider I2 is moved along the series of fastener elements by a suitable actuating member or pull I3 engaging or disengaging them in a manner well known in the art. My invention 5 is not limited to any particular type of interlocking construction. The fastener shown is similar in structure and operation to the one disclosed in the patent to Gideon- Sundback No.

1,219,881, March 20, 1917. As in all fasteners of i0 this general type, the tape stringers I0 are formed with beaded edges Illa to provide a secure attachment for the fastener elements. In my invention a single hard twisted cord I4 is arranged along the edge and on one side of the tape II] and the edge of the flat tape is folded around the cord until it touches the tape as at I5. Thus a beaded edge is formed simultaneously with the making of the fastener without any special tape or sewing operations. It will, of course, be understood that instead of a hard twisted cord, any other suitable filler may be used such as a piece of flexible rubber, a spiral spring element, or a solid metal wire.

In Fig. 3 one of the fastener elements II is shown on an enlarged scale after attachment to the stringer. The fastener elements are held on by a pair of clamping jaws I6 and I! which are compressed upon the loose cord I4 which is rolled in 'tape, the latter assuming a somewhat flattened form as clearly shown in Fig. 3. This provides a construction wherein the adjacent jaws I6 and I! may interlock behind the cord I4 without much likelihood of the jaws cutting the threads which make up the tape I 0. After the clamping jaws I6 and II of the fastener elements are forced together to clamp the element on the tape, the cord I4 is securely held in position and effectively prevents relative movement or twisting of the fastener elements. The tape wrapped around the cord makes a beaded edge and prevents movement of the cord II from the edge of the tape and also prevents slipping of the tape I0 from the cord I4.

In carrying out the method for making my novel form of fastener, the flat tape is guided through a. suitable guide I8 having a curved portion I9 of gradually decreasing radius and separate guides 20 in the form of eyes are arranged for guiding the cord I4 toward the center of the curved portion I9. The tape is pulled through this guide by the feeding mechanism of the assembling machine and is gradually folded around the cord. The fastener elements are attached adjacent the end of the guide member I8 and. 55

thus no other attaching means is required for holding the edge of the tape in folded condition.

As a result of my invention it will be seen that a new method of making the beaded edge on tasteners has been devised which is very simple and economical to carry out. Only a standard fiat tape and cord or other stuffer are required and no extra labor or additional complications in machinery.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my inventlon may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purposes of illustration and description and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim as my invention is:

The method 0! making stringers for slide fasteners ot the type having interlocking elements, attached to the edges of flexible stringers and a slider for opening and closing the elements, which consists of forming a beaded edge by feeding a flat flexible tape through an edge-folder and feeding a cord stufler through the folder whereby the edge of the tape is folded around the cord so as completely to enclose the same, and attaching 10 interlocking elements in closely spaced relation to the beaded edge immediately after passing through said folder whereby the beaded edge is permanently held together by said fastener elements.

WILLIAM L. GILMORE. 

